Creative Commerce with Bendigo Bank
Combining art, storytelling and business, Jodie Cameron meets a local artist helping bridge the gap between creativity and commerce…
After years of connecting communities through vibrant large-scale artworks, Sunshine Coast based street artist, creative entrepreneur and podcaster Sarah Sculley is bringing her signature style to an unexpected space: the world of banking. Known for her bold use of colour, typography and the female form, her work comes to life across canvases, murals, surfboards and skate decks – and most notably, the walls of Bendigo Bank’s Tewantin branch.
A long-time supporter of community-led creativity, and inspired by the Tewantin landscape and people, Sarah painted the branch’s mural on International Women’s Day in 2021. The artwork celebrates connection, collaboration and place, even incorporating an augmented reality element where butterflies appear to fly from the wall via a mobile app.
“For me, murals are visual storytelling and a way of capturing the spirit of a place through colour, movement and local inspiration,” Sarah says. “I love colour and art because they symbolise joy.”
Sarah’s creative journey has taken her far beyond the Sunshine Coast. After studying graphic design and visual culture at the Queensland College of Art, she held her first solo exhibition in Shanghai in 2005. Since then, her work has travelled across the UK, USA, Asia and Australia, featuring in magazines including Home Design, Grand Designs and was chosen to be the front cover artist for our sister publication Hello Sunshine Magazine in Autumn 2023 – an artwork that also came to life through augmented reality.
Despite international success, Sarah remains deeply grounded in her local creative community. Working full time as an artist for more than eight years, she balances motherhood alongside mural commissions with mentoring, workshops and online education, supporting artists at every stage of their careers.
“So many artists have the talent but often need support and practical tools to turn that talent into a sustainable career,” she explained. “The business side of art doesn’t have to feel overwhelming, and my goal is to make it approachable, empowering and even exciting.”
Sarah loves the freedom and autonomy of running her own business, taking time off to rest or hustling a little harder when she’s dreaming of an overseas holiday. She values community education and loves new ideas, teaching and seeing the imaginary light bulb going off in someone’s mind. Teaming up with Bendigo Bank’s Community Bank Tewantin-Noosa, Cooroy and Marcoola branches, Sarah is now blending art, storytelling and business education to help local creatives turn passion projects into sustainable careers.
“I love helping artists feel empowered not only to create, but to thrive professionally through their work,” she says.
That philosophy underpins her upcoming Business of Art workshop, presented in partnership with Bendigo Bank. Designed to demystify the commercial side of creativity, the workshop will cover pricing, commissions, marketing, income streams and long-term planning for artists wanting to build viable creative businesses. Bendigo Bank’s genuine commitment to community made the collaboration a natural fit.
“Connection and community are at the heart of everything I do, so working with an organisation that actively invests in local people and projects feels incredibly meaningful,” Sarah shared.
When she’s not painting walls in the heat or running workshops, Sarah records her podcast Art + Business + Murals, sharing practical advice on pricing, confidence and creative sustainability. Her studio – a converted shipping container in the Sunshine Coast hinterland – is equal parts sanctuary and organised chaos, filled with paint, stencils and the sounds of kookaburras, her days are spent sipping green cordial and listening to Mumford & Sons.
“I struggle with imposter syndrome daily,” she admitted. “I make at least one mistake on every mural, and often I’m the only one who sees it, but each mistake makes me a better muralist.”
Through art, education and collaboration, Sarah continues to prove that creativity and commerce don’t have to exist at opposite ends of the spectrum. With support from community-minded organisations like Bendigo Bank, she’s helping ensure local art – and artists – can truly thrive.
Keep an eye out for upcoming business events and pop-into the branch to see their monthly local artists up close!
